Understanding the New Healthcare Law

Date: June 16, 2015 Last Edit: February 24, 2016

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a massive piece of legislation that will unfold over the next ten years. Its complex provisions have already proven to be difficult to interpret. However, one thing is already clear – as a small-business owner you must be prepared to deal with a series of new tax and regulatory requirements.

We are committed to providing you with relevant information on healthcare reform and serve as a primary resource for understanding how the government’s implementation of the new healthcare law will impact your business.
 

 
NFIB Healthcare Playbook
Since 1986, our small business members have told us that increasing healthcare costs is their No. 1 problem. Therefore, we are proud to present you a step-by-step business resource guide to the recent healthcare reforms.

Healthcare Reform Law – Timeline for Small Business
The new healthcare reform law will be implemented over much of the next decade. From 2010 to 2016, changes largely involve new taxes, fees and mandates on individuals and small business. This document presents a timeline of some major provisions.

The Healthcare Reimbursement Prohibition Regulation                                                                Beginning July 1, 2015, employers who try to make health insurance more affordable by reimbursing their employees for individual market health insurance premiums will be penalized $100 per day per employee. 

Will the Small Business Tax Credit Help Small Business Owners Provide Health Insurance? There is a widely promoted tax credit in the new healthcare law which is meant to assist small business owners to provide health insurance to their employees. But will this credit really help? 

NFIBs Healthcare Insurance Tax Credit Calculator for Small Business
Does your business qualify for the healthcare law’s new small business tax credit on health insurance? If so, how big is your credit? Use our interactive calculator to learn more.

The Unaffordable Facts about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The ACA will cost nearly a trillion dollars, but provides no sustainable and long-term relief from high healthcare costs for our nation’s small-business owners. 

The Small Business Health Insurance Tax
The health insurance tax included in the healthcare law would raise the cost of small business health insurance premiums. Learn how this will raise costs for already struggling small businesses and contrary to our goals of health reform.

Be Prepared: Looming Employer Mandates in the Healthcare Law
The ACA will impose large financial penalties on certain employers who do not provide health insurance coverage and, in some cases, on employers who do provide coverage.

New Definition of Full-Time Employee in the Healthcare Law                                                    The ACA defines full-time employee for the purpose of the employer mandate as an employee who works an average of 30-hours per week (130-hours per month).   

The Suntan Tax: First Tax Increase in the Healthcare Law
The tanning tax was added very late to the healthcare bill without any analysis of how it would affect the indoor tanning industry, comprised primarily of small businesses. On July 1, 2010 a 10 percent tax increase in the cost of doing business took effect; making it even harder for these businesses to operate in this difficult economy.

The Small Business Response to the Administration’s Healthcare Reform Promotion
The White House’s website has a section where you can “find out what health insurance reform would mean for you and your family.” It then asks you to pick your situation (e.g. “I am a small-business owner”) and walks through a Q and A. The answers provided by the president for small businesses don’t exhibit what we believe are a fair representation of the facts and real impact on small-business owners.

The Kaiser Family Research Foundation – Healthcare Reform Gateway
A leader in health policy and communications, the Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit, private operating foundation focusing on the major healthcare issues facing the U.S., as well as the U.S. role in global health policy.

Grandfathered Health Plans Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury issued new regulations regarding the grandfathering of healthcare plans, essentially the rules on what changes and adjustments employers can make to their healthcare plans.

IRS – Small Business Resource Center
The IRS has recently updated its web site to provide information to help small employers understand and determine whether they are eligible for the new small business healthcare tax credit. Interested small business owners are strongly encouraged to contact their accounting professional for specific guidance related to their businesses, employees and particular business situation.

Additional Resources:

Why is the ACA among NFIBs top priorities?
Read the full Growth Agenda that outlines NFIBs position.

Submit Your Healthcare Questions to NFIB:
If you have specific questions as to how the new healthcare law will impact your ability to run your business, please send them to [email protected].
  
Find Additional Business Resources Provided by NFIB:
Remember to visit our healthcare business resource section to find additional resources and tips on healthcare and benefits for your business.

 

Subscribe For Free News And Tips

Enter your email to get FREE small business insights. Learn more

Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Learn More

Or call us today
1-800-634-2669

© 2001 - 2024 National Federation of Independent Business. All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions | Privacy